32 SEPTEMBER 2017 • FOGHORN LEGISLATIVEREPORT By Ed Welch, PV A Legislative Director As a leader in passenger vessel design, stability assessments and refurbishments, our vessels are not only beautiful, they’re also safe and efficient to operate while producing maximum profitability for owners. To bring Jensen on board for your next passenger vessel design or build, contact us at 206.332.8090 or visit our website at jensenmaritime.com. PASSENGER VESSEL DESIGNS: OPTIMIZED FOR PROFITABILITY Studying Marine Casualties of Other Sectors can Benefit Safety of Passenger Vessels P VA vessel operators can learn valuable safety information by reviewing the report released in July by the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) summarizing lessons learned from the investiga- tion of 27 major maritime accidents involving loss of life, injuries, and property damage. The document, entitled Safer Seas Digest 2016, is available at www.ntsb.gov. The good news for our sector of the maritime industry is that none of the digest’s discussed marine accident reports involve a Coast Guard-inspected passenger vessel of the type operated by PVA members. Nevertheless, a maritime casualty of any type is distressing, and the con- ditions, circumstances, and human decisions that contributed to the accidents described in the NTSB document can occur in passenger vessel operations. Therefore, Safer Seas Digest 2016 contains valuable information for PVA vessel operators. Commenting on the lessons learned from the analyses of the accidents, NTSB Chairman Robert Sumwalt III said, “Not only mariners, but manage- ment and executives as well, should take these lessons to heart. Safety culture begins at the top.” The lessons learned in Safer Seas Digest 2016 are highlighted in the following 10 categories, as follows: Distraction The hazard of distraction has been well documented in other modes of transportation, particularly on roadways, but marine transporta-